Reconstruction

1. Reconstruction Bringing the South Back into the Union & Protecting Former Slaves

2. Wartime Reconstruction Plans

3. Reconstruction Questions 4. What branchof governmentshould controlthe process ofReconstruction? 1. How do webring the Southback into the Union? Reconstruction refers to the era from 1865 to 1877 when the U.S. gov’t addressed bringing the South back into the Union after the Civil War & the treatment over former slaves in America 2. How do we rebuild the Southafter itsdestruction during the war? 3. How do weintegrate andprotect newly-emancipatedblack freedmen?

4. Wartime Reconstruction Plans • The U.S. government was divided in its approach to Reconstruction: • Lincoln favored quick readmission for the South & no formal protection for freed blacks • Lincoln believed secession was illegal & was led by individuals (not by states) so he wanted to use pardons to control the South

5. Wartime Reconstruction Plans • In 1863, Lincoln announced a lenient Ten Percent Plan: • States could be re-admitted when 10% of its population swore an oath of U.S. loyalty • Pardons offered for oath-takers • Re-admitted states had to recognize the emancipation of slaves & the 13th amendment • Congress rejected Lincoln’s plan: • Radical Republicans wanted black male suffrage added & feared that Confederate leaders would take charge in the South

6. Wartime Reconstruction Plans • Republicans in Congress: • wanted a radical plan that guaranteed rights for ex-slaves & a promise that ex-Confederate leaders would not be allowed to govern any readmitted states • Congress believed that the states had left the Union so Congress could determine the rules for their re-admission “State-suicide” theory

7. Wartime Reconstruction Plans • The Wade-Davis Bill was passed by Congress in 1864: • 50% of state populations had to swear an oath of loyalty • Confederate leaders were not eligible to vote or participate in state governments • Did not require black suffrage but did enforce emancipation • But Lincoln vetoed the bill By the end of the Civil War, the U.S. government had no plan for Reconstruction in place This problem was compounded in 1865 when Lincoln was assassinated

8. Andrew Johnson & Reconstruction

9. Andrew Johnson at the Helm • The irony of Andrew Johnson: • The 1st Reconstruction president was a Southern Democrat & fervent white supremacist • Johnson was elected as VP in 1864 to balance Lincoln’s ticket • He was the only southern Senator to remain loyal to the Union & hated the South’s gentry

10. “Malice towards none and charity for all” —Abraham Lincoln “Every head of family in the United States should have one slave to take the drudgery and menial service off his family” —Andrew Johnson

11. Andrew Johnson at the Helm “Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States or any place subject to their jurisdiction” • Johnson’s Reconstruction Plan: • Appointed provisional state governors to lead state constitutional conventions • States must declare secession illegal & ratify the 13th Amend’t • Southern conventions reluctantly obeyed Johnson’s Reconstruction policy but passed Black Codes Johnson approved & granted 13,500 special pardons but Congress condemned the state conventions (Congress’ fears are coming true!) Restricted blacks from testifying in court Separate penal codes Restricted the freedom to chose one’s employer Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation

12. The Freedman’s Bureau • The Freedman’s Bureau was established in 1865 to offer assistance to former slaves & protect their new citizenship: • Provided emergency food, housing, medical supplies • Promised “40 acres & a mule” • Supervised labor contracts • Created new schools

13. Freedmen’s Bureau School Many former abolitionists moved South to help freedmen, called “carpetbaggers” by Southern Democrats

14. Freedmen’s Bureau Seen Through Southern Eyes “Plenty to eat & nothing to do”

15. The 14th Amendment • In 1866, Congress voted to extend the Freedmen’s Bureau & passed a Civil Rights Bill to protect against Black Codes • Johnson vetoed both bills, arguing that they violated states’ rights • Congress overrode both vetoes (for the1st time in U.S. history!)

16. The 14th Amendment • Congress feared Johnson would allow violations of civil rights so it passed the 14th Amendment: • Federal gov’t must protect the civil rights of all Americans • Defined the meaning of “citizenship” for Americans • Clearly defined punishments for Southern states who violated the civil rights of African-Americans

17. Johnson’s “Swing Around the Circle” In the 1866 mid-term elections, Johnson toured the South trying to convince voters to elect Congressmen who would reject the 14th Amendment The plan back-fired & Republicans won a 3-1 majority in both houses of Congress & gained control of every northern state

18. Radical Reconstruction Thaddeus Stevens the most influential of the “radical” Republicans; He opposed the Crittenden Compromise, led the impeachment charges against Johnson, & drafted the Radical Reconstruction plan used from 1867 to 1877 • Congress, led by Thaddeus Stevens, trumped Johnson by passing it its own Radical Reconstruction plan in 1867: • Congress could confiscate & redistribute Southern plantations • Allowed quick re-entry for states that supported black suffrage • Ex-Confederates couldn’t vote • And…

19. Created 5 military districts to enforce acts But, Radical Reconstruction was so dependent on massive & sustained federal aid that it was not adequate to enforce equality in the South… Created 5 military districts to enforce Reconstruction …and Johnson obstructed Republicans’ plans by removing sympathetic cabinet members & generals

20. The Impeachment Crisis Johnson argued that removal could only occur due to “high crimes & misdemeanors” but no “crime” had been committed • In Feb 1868, the House voted 126-47 to impeach Johnson, but the Senate fell 1 vote short of conviction & removal from office Some Republicans refused to establish the precedent of removing a president But…Johnson did promise to enforce Reconstruction for the remainder of his term…& he did! For violating the Tenure of Office Act when he tried to fire Sec of War Edwin Stanton

21. Republican Rule in the South • In 1867, a Southern Republican Party was formed by: • Northern “carpetbaggers” • Southern “scalawags” interested in making money in the South • Small, white farmers who wanted protection from creditors • Blacks who wanted civil rights • Many Southern blacks were elected to state & national gov’t Southern Republicans were only in power for 1-9 years but improved public education, welfare, & transportation

22. Black House & Senate Delegates Black & White Political Participation “Colored Rule in a Reconstructed South” Black Republicans were accused of corruption & lack of civility

23. Black Codes: A New Slavery? • Violence & discrimination against freedmen by whites was common: • Southerners used black codes to keep former slaves from voting, getting jobs, buying land • 1,000s of blacks were murdered • U.S. army did not have enough troopstokeep order in the South

25. A Reign of Terror Against Blacks • In 1870, Congress passed the Force Acts (the “KKK Acts”): • Made interference in elections a federal crime • Gave the president the military power to protect polling places • Allowed for high black turnout & Republicans victories in 1872 • “Redeemer” Democrats openly appealed to white supremacy & laissez-faire government

26. A Reign of Terror Against Blacks • The KKK responded by becoming more open with its terror tactics: • Northerners grew impatient with federal Reconstruction efforts & “corrupt” Southern state gov’ts • Grant began to refuse to use military force against KKK terrorist attacks • By 1876, only SC, FL, & LA were controlled by Republicans

27. How effective was the U.S. in addressing these Reconstruction questions? 4. What branchof governmentshould controlthe process ofReconstruction? 1. How tobring the Southback into the Union? 2. How to rebuild the Southafter itsdestruction during the war? 3. How to integrate &protect newly-emancipatedblack freedmen?